If you go
* What: Shakespeare Chattanooga reading of “All’s Well That Ends Well” * When: 7:30 p.m. today, April 23 * Where: The Highland Center, 104 N. Tuxedo Ave. * Admission: $5 suggested donation * Phone: 423-622-2862 (producer Janis Hashe) * Email: jhashe@epbif.com
Shakespeare Chattanooga will celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday today, April 23, with a reading of one of his plays. “All’s Well That Ends Well” concludes a three-play reading series that began in February.
The reading will be directed by Stephanie Smith.
” ‘All’s Well’ is a play that has come into its own in the modern world,” says Smith, noting that the prickly comedy had a very successful run in New York a few years ago. “Its characters and themes may have been too uncomfortable for audiences for a long time, but modern audiences will recognize them right away.”
The plot of “All’s Well” revolves around the obsessive love the main character, Helen, has for the aristocratic but narcissistic and unfeeling Bertram – and the lengths to which she will go to win him. Originally classified as a comedy, the play is now considered one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays,” because it cannot be neatly classified as a tragedy or comedy.
Cast members for this reading are Kevin Bartolomucci, Annie Collins, Steven Disbrow, Steven LaMar, Joanna Lewis, Robbye Lewis, Bob Roza, Kelli Warren and Monica Woodlief.
“After the reading, we’ll decide if we want to move forward with a fully staged production of ‘All’s Well’ this summer,” says Smith.
The reading will take place at The Highland Center, the new permanent home of Shakespeare Chattanooga. Now privately owned and open to community programming, the building formerly housed 21st Century Academy and Brainerd Junior High School.